B.C. First Nations ban moose hunt after wildfires destroy habitats

First Nations in B.C. say moose in the province have had enough to deal with this year because of widespread wildfires throughout the Interior. (Jim Cole/The Associated Press) Two First Nations governments in the B.C. Interior are joining together to ban all limited-entry hunting for moose in their respective territories, while accusing the province of not taking effective action to protect the animals.

The Tsilhqot’in Nation and Southern Dakelh Nation Alliance say in a joint statement that this year’s record-breaking wildfires have made struggling moose populations in the region even more vulnerable.

The fires have drastically reduced high-value habitat for the animals, while creating thousands of access routes for hunters and predators. Tsilhqot’in Chief Joe Alphonse, pictured in 2017, has said hunting would only further endanger the moose population. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press) The First Nations say the situation is so dire that many locals are choosing not to exercise their Aboriginal rights to hunt moose and are going without their main source of winter food.

B.C. First Nation declares local ban on moose hunt Moose population estimates completed in January 2017 show moose continue to decline by approximately 30 per cent in B.C.’s Cariboo region. (Getty Images/EyeEm) The small First Nation community of ?Esdilagh...

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